Page 3303 - Week 11 - Tuesday, 12 October 1993
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MR BERRY: Mr Humphries was the chairman of the beds committee which clearly demonstrated that you do not count a hospital's performance by the number of beds in it. Is that not right, Mrs Grassby?
Mrs Grassby: That is right. That is what we were told everywhere we went.
MR BERRY: Mr Humphries again grabs a figure that is not suitable for demonstrating a hospital's efficiency.
Mr De Domenico: What is your timeframe, though?
MR BERRY: In terms of reducing the cost, as soon as we can do it, and at the same time continue to provide first-class care to the community. We are not like Kennett in Victoria. We are not going to rip apart what is left of the public system in Victoria, just on a cost basis. We are interested in social justice and in providing services to the community, and we are going to continue to do that. At the same time, though committed to social justice, we are going to make our hospitals more efficient. We have done so, as I demonstrated earlier in question time today. This year we are targeted to save another $3m in health.
Mrs Carnell: You do not know how, though.
MR BERRY: I think that was explained to you, Mrs Carnell. I get a little bit tired. I am not a teacher. I am sure that if you were my only student I would have failed.
Development Guidelines
MR MOORE: Madam Speaker, my question is directed to Mr Wood as Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning. Minister, I understand that the Planning Authority has received letters from the Royal Australian Planning Institute, the Institute of Landscape Architects and others calling on you to prevent the development of North Canberra and South Canberra until guidelines are established and approved. In Kingston, you may recall, there was a popular technique by a number of speculators and developers who simply allowed a house to go to ruin as part of the process of putting pressure on nearby neighbours to sell their houses. What action are you taking to avoid the experiences in Kingston and Griffith, where people were in breach of their lease conditions, and will you extend the time for public comment on those guidelines?
MR WOOD: Madam Speaker, I did receive a letter of the nature indicated by Mr Moore. I have to say that I was a bit surprised when I received it because there was a significant planner who wrote to me displaying ignorance of what had been happening in planning in this Territory in the last three years, or more than three years. I have to say that I was very surprised about that because this was a person who I thought was well up with what was happening, certainly in the job he formerly had and in the position he would now seek to advertise to people in the community. I do not know whether that letter was formally approved by the organisation or was written on spec. I have written back to that person in considerable detail, pointing out what members in this Assembly know - that long grind and all that public activity which has seen the development of the Territory Plan.
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